The Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) Branch of Upper East Region has been adjudged the most improved tax collection zone for the year 2007. Mr. Evans Kluste, Upper East Regional Sector Commander of CEPS stated this at the weekend during the Annual Award Ceremony of the Staff of CEPS at Paga in the Upper East Region. He indicated that CEPS in the Region was able to rake in 2.1 million Ghana Cedis as against its target of 1.8 million Ghana Cedis, thus exceeding the target by 317,172.96 million Ghana Cedis, representing 17.6 per cent. “This is the first time in three years that the Collection had been able to exceed its revenue target”, he said. According the service could have mobilize more than it had, had the flood disaster that hit the region last year, not happened. He said more effective revenue mobilization mechanisms would be put in place this year to rake in more revenue and indicated that the provisional target for the year 2008 is 2.83 Million Ghana Cedis. Mr. Klutse said management of the Collection was demanding feasible Action Plans from all stations. These plans, he noted, would spell out the most effective and timelines ways to mobilize and maximize revenue for collection. He pointed out that Management of CEPS had set up the process of ultimately connecting all its stations to GCnet/GCMS so as to automate all business processes with the aim of stopping all leakages and to simplify procedures in order to facilitate trade and reduce the cost of doing business with CEPS. “The promise to get Kulungugu hooked to the system has just been fulfilled. To make the system more effective, an enhance Transit Cargo Module has also been added to enhance more effective processing, monitoring and reporting of transit transactions”, he emphasised The commander noted that all Senior Officers of the service had also been trained on the system to enable them to deliver quality service to the trading public. He lamented stated the issue of uncustomed and unregistered motorbikes in the region, saying it was undermining efforts at raising sufficient revenue for the nation’s development. He challenged the officials to remain vigilant and work assiduously, especially this election year so as to enable CEPS to meet its set targets. Fifteen Staff members were awarded with certificates. Mr. Daniel Osei won the best award for the Junior Rank, whilst Mr. George Richardson won in the Senior Staff Category. Source: GNA